Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-02-09
FI.UvANNA.
That burned SehooIhouse--A Pro-
tcst.

10 he EditOr Of TIC Dispatch.
My attention has just been directed
20 an article in the Dispatch written
from this place on the Dist of January,
purporting to give an account of the
burning of n schoolhouse in this county
on the previous night. While all your
readers must have keenly enjoyed the
sparkling wit and brilliant sarcasm
which characterized the article, yet it
is to be regretted that this embellish-
ment could not have been given except
at the expense Of the facts.
The immense wooden structure sit
uatod on Polecat Ridge, and latterly used
for educational training, &c, was "A
building about 20x24 feet, erected Jun
der the supervision of the very efficient
School Board of Fork Union township
for a schoolhouse, and was as comforta-
BILE and as well furnished as the MAORI
ty of country hool-buildings.
Doubtless your correspondent of the
DIST possesses facilities for acquainting
himself with the local names and cha
racteristics of certain neighborhoods
which this scribe does not enjoy, still in
stating that this immense wooden struc-
ture was situated on "Polecat Ridge " his
memory has proved false, or he has de-
liberately given name which he must
know the locality does not bear, and
never has borne, and | confidently ven
ture the assertion that if the first tidings
of the fire had been obtained from that
report, there isn't man within five
miles of the place who would have
taken it to be the house in which
Mr. r. J. Snead taught but
for the mention of his name.
1t is sometimes said there is
nothing in a name-a rose by any
other name would smell as sweet "
Perhaps it would, and possibly pole
cat by any other name would be equally
as offensive to our olfactOries, for the
simple word docs stink in the nos
trils Of every refined reader, and the
residents and property-owners in the
neighborhood resent this unwarranted
christening, especially since the peo-
pie, their habits, customs, &c, are as
scciated with a repulsive name in such
a manner as to cause us to turn away
from both place and people with some
thing of disgust.
The residents in the district Of the
burned schoolhouse are mainly color
cd, but believe rs honest and respect
able as the average, while the white
people are as moral, reputable, and re-
fined as in any section of our county.
perhaps this writer should say that he
doesn't reside on the Ridge" y
Again: The fire is supposed TO have
originated from matches in the hands
of a couple Of sable pupils, who Sc
lected this mode of indicating their APP
probation of a bunch of birch with
which the principal (Mr. Ruins J.
Snead) bad the day before made upon
them an attack of unusual warmth.
This suppcsition is in direct conflict
with the statement OF MIR. Snead that
he had not used the birch on any of his
sable pupils the "day before, and that
he is sure the house caught from the
stove; he freely admitting that he left
more fire in it than he had ever
done before, and more than he liked
to leave there. 1t is but Just to
Mr.. Snead to say that he has
been teaching for ten or twelve years,
and fully retains the confidence of the
School Board and the respect Of pa
irons and pupils, and it was i'll advised,
at least without authentic warrant for
the statement, to leave the impression
that the fire was the result of feelings
of revenge fol too severe castigation
of the pupils. On the other hand, to
attribute it to craving desire TO
have il substituted by one more in
keeping with the demands of comfort,
is utterly unjustifiable in face of the
fact that the house had been erected
within the last three years, and in the
way of comfort and other appoint
ments would average with the ordinary
country schoolhouse.
So far as such expressions as i'm
mense wooden structure" "shivering
"chinkless walls, wind-worn
SC, reflect upon our
county-school system, the liberal pro-
vision made for public education, the
ability, energy, and impartiality of our
county superintendent, and the eff
cheney of our District Board, are too
well known to need any defence from
any CITIZEN.